East Pikeland man charged in marijuana growing operation

EAST PIKELAND — More than 50 live marijuana plants were seized last week during a raid at a townhome on Stirling Court in the Kimberton Knoll development, according to township police.

On Friday, the East Pikeland Police Department, assisted by officers from East Vincent and West Pikeland, conducted a search of a home that was suspected of housing an indoor marijuana growing operation. Once inside, police confirmed that much of the three-story townhome was converted for the growing and harvesting of marijuana.

Police said the home’s third floor was equipped with irrigation and lighting equipment that supported more than 50 live plants. A sophisticated air filtration system was also installed in the home to mask the odor of marijuana, police said. More growing equipment and other live plants were also found in one of the home’s bedrooms, police said.

Scales, packaging materials, and numerous packages of marijuana seeds were also discovered inside the home, according to police. Investigators also found video surveillance equipment and two handguns, police said.

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The homeowner, 50-year-old Marc Ferrara, was arrested after the search and charged with more than 60 felony counts of manufacturing a controlled substance and related charges. He was taken to Chester County Prison after failing to post $25,000 cash bail.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Sept. 4, according to court records.